San Diego eyed in migrant transport plan

FILE - In this May 29, 2014 file photo, Maria Eva Casco, left, and her son Christian Casco of El Salvador, sit at at the Greyhound bus terminal, Thursday, May 29, 2014 in Phoenix. Central American families arrested in Texas will continue to be flown to Arizona, and hundreds of unaccompanied minors a day are being shipped to a federal detention center in the southern part of the state, Gov. Jan Brewer’s spokesman says. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Associated Press

FILE - In this May 29, 2014 file photo, Maria Eva Casco, left, and her son Christian Casco of El Salvador, sit at at the Greyhound bus terminal, Thursday, May 29, 2014 in Phoenix. Central American families arrested in Texas will continue to be flown to Arizona, and hundreds of unaccompanied minors a day are being shipped to a federal detention center in the southern part of the state, Gov. Jan Brewer’s spokesman says. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

San Diego could become a destination for hundreds of Central American migrants who are entering the United States via Texas, but who cannot be processed there because the unusually high volume of people has put a strain on resources in that state.

The city of San Diego was contacted Monday about finding lodging for the migrants, said Craig Gustafson, a spokesman for Mayor Kevin Faulconer.

“The federal government reached out to the city earlier today to discuss possible locations in San Diego where immigrants could be temporarily housed,” Gustafson said in an email. “Federal officials have given the city their commitment to be open and transparent about their proposal and the potential effects on the San Diego community. We’ve requested additional information from the federal government.”

He declined to provide more details about the request.

Related

This weekend, the Border Patrol said it would be flying 300 migrants to California from Texas, in two flights. Destinations being considered include San Diego and El Centro. From there they would be processed by Customs and Border Protection and released until a later hearing.

However, the plan was then canceled and a spokesman for the Border Patrol said the situation is fluid and subject to change at any moment, according to The Associated Press.

Hundreds of migrants have already been moved from Texas to Arizona.

Adults who are not Mexican nationals who are seeking asylum in the U.S. are not immediately returned to their home countries or denied entry. Typically, they are processed by CBP, released, and then told to report to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in around two weeks for a hearing.

If the migrants do arrive in coming days, immigrant and refugee advocacy groups are on standby to provide resources like housing and legal aid. Meanwhile, people opposed to allowing the migrants into the U.S. expressed concerns about releasing hundreds of people for weeks and hoping they will show up for their hearings.

Shawn Moran, president of the Border Patrol Agents’ union, criticized Customs and Border Protection for not taking a clear stand and what he calls a lack of transparency.

“It doesn’t seem that CBP is handling this very well. This on-again off-again, and trying to basically hide the information on Friday afternoon and weekends, shows that they’re not being forthcoming with the public,” Moran said.

Asked why CBP would not want to make this plan known, Moran said the agency is concerned with public opinion. “They know the American public does not want illegal aliens processed and released into American society. They want them held and they want them to be deported,” Moran said.

Groups that provide support to immigrants and refugees say they are prepared to meet the immediate needs of those arriving from Central America, be they children, adults or families.

Enrique Morones, a San Diego human-rights activist, said he has met with people from the legal, faith, foster care, nonprofit, government and other sectors to create a support system for the migrants. That includes lodging, clothes, free attorneys and toys for the children.